HVSW-04 is a dedicated high voltage high repetition rate Pockels cell driver for pico- and femtosecond lasers. It represents a combination of two fast drivers (based on MOSFET technology) in a full-bridge schema, the primary use is for extracting single pulses from a pulse train.

Using the driver one chooses between two operation modes:
- fixed width short pulses (about 15-20 ns), triggered by a leading edge of an external TTL.
- variable width long pulses (adjusted in range of 100-2000 ns typically, other on request), when a leading edge of an external TTL signal cause rise of pulse, and a trailing edge cause pulse fall.
We offer also a wide range driver modification with a continiously adjustable in range of 15-2000 ns pulse width.
The driver requires +24 V DC power supply, a pulse generator to set an operating frequency and pulse width (in variable pulse width mode) and a HV DC bipolar power supply (e.g. HVPS-300). An output voltage level is set by user using an interface of the HV DC power supply.
The maximal output voltage is 4 kV (bipolar), maximal repetition rate is 0.5-4 MHz (in dependence on output voltage, some target performances are given in the following table):
(*)The values are approximate, exact performance depends on actual load capacitance and cooling conditions.
Please, note that by bipolar device an output pulse voltage U is formed by applying +U/2 to one output wire and –U/2 to other one. Therefore, both output poles are under HV.
Driver is water cooled.
It is possible to control the driver through analogue interface or through RS-485 interface (not simultaneously!). PC software is available for lab purposes.

Input:
+HV/2 to one pole; -HV/2 to another pole
Output:
Voltage amplitude
regulated, up to 4 kV 1, 2
Voltage basement
fixed, 0 V 1
Maximal repetition rate
up to 4 MHz
2
Minimal repetition rate
single shot
Pulse width
- in fixed pulse width mode
- in variable pulse width mode
15-20 ns, fixed
15-2000 ns or 100-2000 ns, adjustable
3 See also
User manual
Interpulse interval
> 50 ns
Rise/fall time
from 5-7 ns at output voltages ~1 kV
to 9-11 ns at the max. voltage (4 kV) 4
Jitter
< 0.5 ns (+/- 250 ps)
Load capacitance
typ. 5-7 pF
Environment:
Operation temperature
+10 … +40 °C
Storage temperature
-20 … +60 °C
Humidity
0 … 90%, non-condensing
Other:
Protection
- from too long pulses (gate limit), adjusted by the customer in 200 ns to 2000 ns range 3
- from overheating
Size (LxWxH)
176x69x50 mm
1)
In terms of bipolar output
2)
these parameters aren't indepenent and cannot achieve their maximum at the same time
3)
these and other parameters might be changed upon request
4)
10-90% level, guaranteed at load capacitance 5-7 pF and below
Modifications
- Up to 4.0 kV output voltage
- Up to 1 MHz repetition rate (at 3.2 kV voltage)
- 9-11 ns rise / fall time (at 4 kV voltage)
- Short pulse (15-20 ns, fixed) and Long pulse (100‑2000 ns, adjustable) modes of operations, 20‑100 ns range is unavailable
- Up to 2.0 kV output voltage
- Up to 4 MHz repetition rate (at 1.6 kV voltage)
- 7-9 ns rise / fall time (at 2 kV voltage)
- Short pulse (15-20 ns, fixed) and Long pulse (100‑2000 ns, adjustable) modes of operations, 20‑100 ns range is unavailable
HVSW-04-4kV-WR
(wide range)
- Up to 4.0 kV output voltage
- Up to 1 MHz repetition rate (at 3.2 kV voltage)
- 9-11 ns rise / fall time (at 4 kV voltage)
- Continuously adjustable pulse width in 15-2000 ns range
HVSW-04-2kV-WR
(wide range)
- Up to 2.0 kV output voltage
- Up to 4 MHz repetition rate (at 1.6 kV voltage)
- 7-9 ns rise / fall time (at 2 kV voltage)
- Continuously adjustable pulse width in 15-2000 ns range
Example
Up to 4.0 kV output voltage, up to 1 MHz repetition rate